LEGAL AID OF WESTERN OHIO INC

LAWO REPRESENTS CLIENTS IN SEVERAL AREAS OF LAW, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OTHER FAMILY-LAW RELATED ISSUES; HOUSING, INCLUDING ISSUES SURROUNDING PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING CONDITIONS; ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT BENEFITS; DEBT COLLECTION DEFENSE AND BANKRUPTCY; CONSUMER FRAUD ISSUES; EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT; HUMAN TRAFFICKING; AND THE LEGAL PROBLEMS THAT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, VETERANS, THE HOMELESS, AND OLDER ADULTS FACE.EACH YEAR LAWO'S EXPERIENCED STAFF OF ATTORNEYS, PARALEGALS, AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS LIVING IN POVERTY THROUGHOUT 32 COUNTIES IN NORTHWEST AND WEST CENTRAL OHIO AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE HAVE OFFICES LOCATED IN DAYTON, DEFIANCE, FINDLAY, LIMA, SANDUSKY, SPRINGFIELD, AND TOLEDO.IN 2023 WE MET THE LEGAL NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR PARTNER LAW FIRM, ADVOCATES FOR BASIC LEGAL EQUALITY, INC. (ABLE). THE SERVICES WE PROVIDED BENEFITED CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, VETERANS, IMMIGRANTS, PERSONS, WITH DISABILITIES, SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PERSONS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE, FAMILIES FACING EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE, HOMELESS CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, CHILDREN STRUGGLING TO SECURE APPROPRIATE EDUCATION SERVICES, AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AMONG OTHERS. OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES WORK IN AREAS THAT PRIVATE ATTORNEYS USUALLY DO NOT, INCLUDING REPRESENTATION OF TENANTS, LOW-INCOME HOMEOWNERS, IMMIGRANTS, VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND PEOPLE SEEKING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.WHAT WE DO IS IMPORTANT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE POWERFUL SOLUTIONS TO CRITICAL SOCIETAL ISSUES. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE RETURNED TO THE COMMUNITY OR SAVED FOR OUR CLIENTS. WE CONSERVE VALUABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES BY ADDRESSING ISSUES BEFORE THEY BECOME A CRISIS AND WORK WITH OTHER NON-PROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ADVOCACY FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.TOGETHER LAWO AND ABLE CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST PROVIDERS OF FREE, COMPREHENSIVE CIVIL LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO LOW-INCOME PERSONS IN OHIO. NEARLY 24% OF OHIO'S POVERTY POPULATION LIVES IN OUR 32 COUNTY SERVICE AREA. LAWO ALSO SERVES AGRICULTURAL WORKERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. OURADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES AND HEADQUARTERS ARE LOCATED IN TOLEDO AT THE CENTER FOR EQUAL JUSTICE. IN 2023, LAWO RECEIVED 11,131 REQUESTS FOR HELP, WORKED ON 5,530 CASES, AND CLOSED 4,252 CASES. OUR ADVOCACY IN 2023 BENEFITED 12,890 PERSONS. LAWO ALSO SECURED $6,539,696 IN MONETARY BENEFITS FOR ITS CLIENTS.